Holiday in Porto

What makes Porto special as a destination?

Porto, the untamed sister city of Lisbon, dramatically rises along the steep banks of the Douro and combines raw authenticity with a burgeoning creative scene. The Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, stacks its colorful tiled houses like a living mosaic from the narrow streets by the riverside up to the majestic Se do Porto Cathedral, which has watched over the city since the 12th century. The Ponte Dom Luis I, a steel masterpiece from 1886, connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia on two levels, where the legendary port wine cellars of Taylor’s, Sandeman, and Graham’s invite tastings. A glass of Tawny Port overlooking the illuminated old town at sunset is one of the most unforgettable moments of a trip to Portugal. The Sao Bento train station impresses with over 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history — the entrance hall alone is worth a visit. The Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, enchants with its curved red staircase and neo-Gothic wood carvings. Culinary-wise, Porto is home to the Francesinha, a hearty sandwich with meat, cheese, and a spicy beer sauce, best tried at Capa Negra or Cafe Santiago. The recently renovated Mercado do Bolhao showcases Porto's culinary soul with fresh fish, fruit, and regional cheese.